Rwanda: South-South Cooperation Key for Africa’s Prosperity, Kagame

The New Times Kigali Collins Mwai
Displayed with permission from allAfrica.com

President Paul Kagame has said that South-South cooperation is an ideal strategy towards achieving prosperity among African institutions and by extension, the African people.

The President was speaking Monday evening in Maputo, Mozambique at a dinner reception hosted in his honour by his counterpart, President Filipe Nyusi.

President Kagame is on a two day state visit to the Southern African state, a visit aimed at stepping up bilateral ties and cooperation between the two countries.

Kagame said that among the practical benefits for African countries exchanging experiences and investing resources with each other include building prosperous national institutions which embodied global and sovereign traits.

He observed that the move to step up bilateral ties was long overdue, given the similarities between the two countries in aspects such as liberation struggles.

« This move is very welcome if not indeed overdue. Mozambique and Rwanda share many common elements in our respective experiences beginning with a history of liberation struggles of our people of both sides, »

« Our shared understanding extends to the determination to stand up for ourselves and for our continent as a whole as we work to achieve the prosperity and dignity that our people have the right to enjoy, » the president said.

Kagame noted that having known the alternative to peace and unity, countries such as Rwanda and Mozambique remain focused in promoting and practicing good politics that uphold unity.

« Unity is not automatic, it tends to be constantly challenged from both outside and within, which makes matters even more complicated. In many cases we have seen unity is indispensible, » he said.

The head of state insisted that leaders and public servants have a responsibility to lead by example and make citizens comfortable even during uncomfortable circumstances to deepen national cohesion and unity.

Hailing his host for the invitation, Kagame said that going forward; the two countries were keen on continued cooperation and partnership which would also have an impact on the continent’s development.

Prior to the reception, the president together with his Mozambique counterpart witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation agreement in the areas of political consultations between the two countries.

Speaking earlier on Monday, Minister for Foreign Affairs Louise Mushikiwabo said that the two heads of state had unanimously agreed to set up a task force to conduct follow ups, evaluation and fast track progress of the alliance.

The task force will operate within the confines of the countries ministries of foreign affairs.

Mushikiwabo said that the state visit was also an opportunity to express gratitude to the people and government of Mozambique for playing hosts to a number of refugees living in the country.

Representatives of the two countries also explored the possibility of having the national carrier, RwandAir commence flights to Maputo.

The President is accompanied by the minister of Trade and industry, Francois Kanimba and Rwanda Development Board chief executive Francis Gatare.